Djokovic “failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements for Australia and visa has been subsequently canceled,” he said.
According to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Border Force (ABF) contacted the state Victoria government after learning of an issue with the visa submitted by Djokovic’s team while he was en route to the country.
The ABF confirmed in a statement that the 34-year-old player’s visa had been revoked for failing to provide appropriate evidence for entry to the country.
“The Australian Border Force will continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our laws and entry requirements,” the statement read.
“Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa canceled will be detained and removed from Australia,” it added.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the world No. 1 in men’s tennis is subject to the same rules as everyone.
Before the announcement, Djokovic’s father, Srdjan Djokovic, told a Serbian radio station his son was being held “captive” by Australian officials following a visa application mix-up.
He told Serbian radio station B92 his son was being housed in a room that no one can enter, with two policemen in the front of the room.
“I have no idea what’s going on. They’re holding my son captive for five hours,” Srdjan Djokovic said in a statement to Russian news agency Sputnik, according to B92. “This is a fight for the libertarian world, this is not just a fight for Novak, but a fight for the whole world! If they don’t let him go in half an hour, we will gather on the street. This is a fight for everyone.”
Since the comments were made, there have been no reports of any gatherings in Belgrade or outside the Melbourne Airport.
Earlier on Wednesday, Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic posted a photo to social media from what apgpears to be the Melbourne Airport in Australia where Djokovic reportedly was being held, captioning it, “Not the most usual trip Down Under.”
The Australian Open is the first tennis grand slam of the year and is set to run from January 17-30.
Players were told they would have to be fully vaccinated in order to participate or have a medical exemption granted by an independent panel of experts.
Australian Open organizers said in a statement on Tuesday that Djokovic’s exemption was “granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
